The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease was improperly reduced from 20% to 10%, and the 20% rating is restored. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip disorders, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The reduction in rating was not appropriate as it did not comply with applicable regulations and the Veteran's condition had not improved to warrant a reduced rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left hip strain with limitation of extension, Left hip strain with limitation of flexion, Right hip strain with limitation of flexion, Right hip strain with limitation of extension, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23051678
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 23051678.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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